Monthly Archives: May 2011

Weekend Project–Tape Removal

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Posted by on in Projects

This weekend James and I tackled one of our toughest challenges yet (not really, but it’s a dramatic lead in)–removing the worlds most stubborn carpet tape from our floors.  When we moved into our apartment I was eager to get everything in place, including our area rugs.  So I used the RhinoGrip carpet tape without even thinking twice, though I knew better.  See, when James moved out from his apartment I helped clean this tape residue off of their wooden floors and let me tell you, it was no picnic.  I vowed then to never use this stuff again–fail.

Eight months after I used the tape I finally had to get rid of it.  We tried every cleaner known to man and all failed to get rid of the carpet tape.  After scouring online forums we finally found a recommendation that we hadn’t yet tried --Goo Gone.  So we bought a bottle of Goo Gone and a multi-pack of Scotch Brite heavy duty sponges and got to work.  After an hour of vigorous scrubbing the damn tape came up!  I definitely lost brain cells as a result of the fumes from the Goo Gone but it was totally worth it because it got rid of the RhinoGrip!  As a reward I sat in front of our air conditioner and enjoyed a delicious BBQ brisket sandwich with a glass of chardonnay…and I may have watched Waterworld but that was most definitely not my choice.  So the lesson of this post is to 1) never use RhinoGrip, 2) Goo Gone is amazing, and 3) always open a window to allow for air circulation!

Julia Child

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Posted by on in fun stuff, Kitchen

This weekend I finished reading My Life in France by Julia Child.  What a jewel of a book!  It’s amazing how Julia had an ability to write so personally and make you feel connected to her life.  I finished the book yesterday and felt as though I needed her continued presence to keep me inspired in the kitchen.  Well, what do you know…the Harvard/MIT COOP just released a collection of Paul Child photography that features the one and only Julia Child!  I can’t help but think the behind the scenes shots would look look fabulous in my kitchen.  :) Here are some of my favorites…

Aren’t these great! I’ve been in a cooking rut lately so I think a print of Julia above my stove might just help me get back on the cooking wagon.  Is Julia a source of inspiration in your kitchen?  

Beachin’ It Up

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Posted by on in Design
I have transformed our apartment into a beach bungalow.  Okay, not entirely but I’m trying here.  In April I decided to set aside $100 for “beach decor” to transform our apartment.  Though it’s not entirely there it is so much better than it was. The decor is helping me deal with the ridiculous heat wave blasting through DC.  Seriously, I think we’ve skipped spring and went straight into the summer heat that is typical in the swampland.  Instead of going on I’ll fast-forward my complaining and talk about what I did with $100.  
Target has such cute picture frames.  I’m trying to get better about taking pictures and putting them on display.  In the 2 1/2 years I’ve dated James I think we’ve taken about 10 photos together…and I’m rounding up. I decided to buy one of these distressed wooden frames to jazz up one of our photos.
This is an awesome bowl that serves as our fruit bowl in the kitchen.   
I used this sea glass mix as candle filler in a bunch of candle holders throughout the apartment. I don’t want to talk about how many candles I currently have right now…

I wasn’t going to buy this but then that evil little voice in the back of my head said “Do it. You deserve it!”  I don’t know why I deserve it but I bought it anyway. 
Ok this purchase I blame on Midwest Living Magazine.  I bought the magazine while I was in an airport and this basket was featured on a page called “Steals”.  It was on sale and I needed a basket for all of our crocheted blankets so of course I clicked “buy” once I was in front of a computer.
 

This is just pure weakness.  It was during Earth Week and I wanted to do something for the earth.  So instead of actually doing something productive in my neighborhood I bought a recycled-glass lantern.  That’s so lame I can’t even justify it.  Oh well, I’ll make use of my Earth Week purchase and try to do other earth-friendly things in the meantime to make up for it.

 I posted last week about wanting to make these and I did just that this weekend.  I made 12 and was overwhelmed with what to do with them all so I decided to give most of them away as gifts.  I hope my mom and sister like these because they are getting them for Mother’s Day this year.  Oops…you guys read this blog don’t you?  Happy early Mother’s Day to two incredible moms! :)

So that’s where $100 dollars went. I’m pretty happy with my decor.  Once I get a chance to actually clean the apartment I’ll have to take photos of everything to show my attempt at Beach Cribs.

Do you change up your household decor for the seasons?  Am I the only one?  I blame it on having an indecisive design brain.